Skirt-protector



(No Model.)

M. E. KNIGHT 82; H. M. MAOFARLAND.

SKIRT PROTECTOR.

Patented Aug. 7,;183.

N. PETERS. Ppowum n ner. Wnhin wn. D. c.

body of the shield is made.

UNITED S ATES, PATENT O EicE.

MARGARET'E. KNIGHT AND HARRIET'M. MAOFARLAND, on AsHLAND,

MASSACHUSETTS.

SKIRT-PROTECTOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 282,646, dated August 7, 1883. Application filed May 8, 1883. (N0 model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, MARGARET E. KNIGHT and HARRIET M. MAOFARLAND, citizens of the United States, residing at Ashland, in the county of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented new and useful Improvements in Ladies Dress and Skirt Shields, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improved ladys dress and skirt shield adapted to fold between an outer and an inner wall of impermeable or other suitable material, the lower part of the skirts of ladies wearing-apparel, and to be secured in position by suitable connections therebetween and a waist-belt, the object being to provide a shield of this class which is easily put on and off, and which will afford perfect protection for the skirts against rain, snow, and dirt and to this end we provide, as hereinafter set forth, a shield which is capable of being expanded to nearly a fiat position for the reception of the skirts, and

then of being closed and held upon thelatter while being worn.

In the drawings forming part of this specification, Figure I is a plan View, and Fig. II asectional view, of a dress and skirt shield embodying our improvements. Figs. III, IV, and V are detail views; and Fig. VI illustrates the manner of applying the shield to a dress.

In the drawings, A indicates the fabric, of textile or other suitable material, of which the Since it is desirable that said body be -light and water-proof, it may be made of ordinary thin gossamercloth, such as is commonly used for making ladies waterproof cloaks. Said body is made in the form of a circular bag, as shown in Figs. II and VI, adapted to receive within it and entirely envelop the lower part of the dress skirt B, extending upward from the bottom of the latter within and without, and is provided with a series of hinged clasps, d, which are secured to the interior thereof, which operate to press the upper edges of the shield closely against the skirt and provide means for attachin g the straps c to the shield.

The clasps d are hinged attheir lower ends, as shown in Figs. III, IV, and V, and consist of the straps 2 and 3, one of which is provided with a cam-shaped projection, 4, and the other has affixed thereto a spring, 33, adapted to bear on said cam, whereby when the clasp is closed,

as in Fig. III, said spring causes the ends of the straps 2 3 to press one against the other,-

and when the clasp is opened, as in Fig. IV, the spring is brought to bear upon the cam 4 in such a way as to hold the clasp open. For

.convenience in sewing the straps c to one of the straps of the clasp (1, one of the latter is perforated, as shown in Fig. V. Said straps c are provided each with a'buckle, 6, whereby the shield is suspended to the waistband n by the straps 0.

As above mentioned, the clasps (1 (four or more, or any suitable number) are secured within the shield, and, as will be understood from the above description of their construction,

permit of opening the shield, substantially as shown in Fig. I, so that a person may step within it, letting the skirts of the dress B hang over it. The'shield is then lifted up, and the clasps d being shut the shield is closed against the skirt, covering the inner and outer face and the bottom edge thereof completely,as shown. The arms of the clasps, or the straps thereof, which are within the skirt, serve to hold the in ner edge of the shield in a firm upright position. The straps 0 being then secured to the buckles c, the shield is in proper position to be worn, and may with great facility be taken off from the skirt B by unbuckling the straps 0 and opening the clasps d.

I11 shields of very light construction the clasps cl may be made to serve the purpose of holding the shield onto the skirtB by making the ends of the straps 2 3 spring so forcibly against each other as to prevent the shield-from slipping off from the skirt by its own weight. Thus the straps c and o, the buckles e, and the band a may be dispensed with.

This shield may be rolledinto a small bundle,

and so be easily carried with other articles when traveling, and can, in case of need, be quickly put on. It is also useful for persons who are employed in mercantile establishments and in manufactories to protect the skirts from becoming unduly soiled and worn. WVhat we claim as our invention is 1. Adress and skirt shield made in the form of a circular bag, substantially as described,

-to envelop the lower part of a skirt, and havlngseeuredthereto a series of jointed elasps adapted to press the edges of the shield against each other, and to permit of opening the latter to nearly .a fiat form, substantially as set forth.

2. A dress and skirt shield made in the form of a circular bag, substantially as described, to envelop the lower part of a skirt, a series of jointed clasps secured to said shield adapted to press the edges thereof against each other,

and to permit of spreading the shield to nearly a flat form, combined with means, substantially as described, for suspending said shield upon the person of the wearer.

MARGARET KNIGHT. HARRIET M. MACFARLANI).

\Vitnesses FREDERICK M. Es'rY, GEORGE G. TRAVIS. 

